Fall on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast offers nearshore anglers incredible possibilities. Along the state’s southern Outer Banks, in a region known as the Crystal Coast, blitzing false albacore and huge schools of mature red drum are targets for light-tackle and fly anglers who sight cast to busting fish on the surface. Anglers looking to put some meat in the box can slow troll for king mackerel, knowing several other pelagic species might also crash into the spread.
Nearshore Fishing in North Carolina
Often, the hottest action is within sight of shore. Leaving out of Beaufort Inlet, near Morehead City, or a little farther north from Barden’s Inlet at Cape Lookout National Seashore, fishermen have a lot of options within 5 to 10 miles of the beach.
With moderate water temperatures pushed close to the beach and scads of baitfish migrating out of the estuaries, you never know what you might catch this time of year. This diversity supports a fleet of local charter captains who work together to keep visiting anglers on fish. Capt. Brian Horsley, of Outer Banks Fly Fishing, and Capt. Chris Kimrey, of Mount Maker Charters, are old salts in a fishery where new charter operations come and go every year. Both have made a career of staying ahead of the trends and on the fish, day in day out.
False Albacore on a Fly Rod
Fishermen from around the world come to the Crystal Coast in October and November for shots at false albacore on a fly rod, and Capt. Horsley consistently delivers. For more than three decades, he has worked with accomplished anglers and beginners alike.
Nothing beats feeding a Surf Candy fly to a pod of false albacore frothing on the surface. Under the beacon of diving birds, pods of albies hound baitballs to the surface, where anglers armed fly rods cast into a maelstrom of bait and game fish.
Catch False Albacore and Tunas on Light Tackle
Some days the albies get finicky. That’s when it pays to have options. In some circumstances, when the fish are feeding deeper, it becomes difficult to get a fly in front of them.
Horsley keeps light spinning gear ready with something small and shiny tied on in case it is needed to get tight. When needed or desired, Brian can quickly call an audible and seek out other species that migrate into the area. Occasionally blackfin and small bluefin tuna show up, making things interesting for the light tackle crowd. The captain keeps a 16-weight fly rod on hand just in case the tuna situation gets crazy.
Schooling Red Drum in North Carolina
Anglers also find big schools of mature red drum in the same areas as the false albacore this time of year. Horsley is always on the lookout for any surface feeding activity over 20 to 30 feet of water. Horsley knows it pays to be prepared with multiple rods rigged and stowed in an organized manner for quick access for whatever action pops up over the course of a day.
If you plan to launch your own boat, Horsley cautions anglers to always be conscious of the weather. Things can change quickly in the area. A northeast wind makes for good conditions along Shackleford Banks and the surrounding shoals. When it switches and blows hard out of the southwest, nearshore waters become turbid and push fish farther offshore. Tides play a critical factor when fishing around the inlets, as they provide funnel points for bait leaving the estuary. Horsley explained that it seems to be more of a weekly pattern, as redfish feeding behavior can change without notice.
Kingfish Fishing Off Crystal Coast Beaches
Capt. Kimrey has taken a similar approach over the past 20 years with clients who want to bring home fish for dinner. He targets kingfish off the beach, knowing other pelagic species can push in close this time of year.
To find the best activity, Kimrey makes quick runs to previously identified spots that have good live bottom. Many of his spots are within 5 miles of the beach in 20 to 40 feet of water. He slow trolls up to three live-bait lines, but when the action is hot, he only needs one at a time. Kimrey prefers live bluefish or menhaden as bait, but a dead cigar minnow will do when the action is hot.
He loves getting into a good school of 15- to 20-pound kings, as they make excellent table fare and will readily sky on light-lined live baits in the prop wash. This makes for a very exciting day for new anglers.
Other Fish Species on the Crystal Coast
Tournament anglers spend a lot of time on the east side of Cape Lookout and the shipping channel at Beaufort Inlet, as big fish come from those waters every year. While targeting mackerel, welcome bycatch often includes cobia, wahoo and those pesky blackfin tuna that taste so good served up sashimi-style on the boat ride back to the inlet.
There is also a very good sailfish bite in the area during the fall for anglers looking for a relatively easy way to check a billfish off their bucket list. Kimrey typically makes a quick stop at productive live bottom before heading in to top the cooler off with several species of snapper, sea bass and grouper when regulations allow.
Chris prides himself on his ability to adapt and prepare for any situation. With more than 30 rods onboard at any given time and as many rod holders, all strategically placed, every scenario is covered when he puts his boat in the water.
With the influence of the warm water Gulf Stream and the cool Labrador current impacting the area, you never know what you may run into off the Crystal Coast. The diversity of the local nearshore waters during fall allows Capt. Horsley and Capt. Kimrey to cater to different types of anglers with the same mindset.
While you may set out with a specific species in mind, a well-prepared angler can make the most of whatever mother nature gives them. Make sure to stow a couple of extra rods rigged and ready for the best chance, because you don’t usually get a second shot.
